The vision of HEI4S3-RM for 2030 will be to develop a novel pathway for entrepreneurial universities by performing research and development. This will accelerate innovation and commercialisation with the involvement and collaboration of a large number of internal/external stakeholders (academic and non-academic staff, as well as students) in higher education institution (HEI) regions.

The new operational framework will be introduced via ecosystem integration labs (EILs), which will be developed and implemented by each participating university (relying on existing infrastructures such as research support offices, incubators’ academies, technology transfer offices, and/or other instruments and tools like university-driven chairs and agreements with topic-related companies). The EILs will be tailored based on each university’s HEInnovate needs assessment, and will follow the spirit of EU smart specialisation strategy for the mining industry. This will govern the focus of the envisioned innovation and business projects, Talent labs and open innovation and training programmes. As a result, this will motivate each HEI involved to commit to their Innovation Vision Action Plans (IVAP).

Six universities (Finland, Germany, Greece, Romania and Spain), two research transfer offices, or competence centres, (Serbia and Slovenia) and one small and medium-sized enterprise, or strategic and innovation consulting service (Poland), will jointly implement at least six HEI initiative actions. Four other associated HEIs linked to the consortium (Estonia, Romania, Sweden and Senegal) will increase significantly the impact of the HEI4S3-RM actions. Additionally, a wide variety of other associated partners will collaborate with the HEI4S3-RM knowledge triangle.

This enables a realistic IVAP to reinforce the innovation capacity building of Europe, aiming for long-term sustainability and circular economy approaches. The project’s results will contribute to the strategic objectives and missions of at least three EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs): EIT Digital, EIT Climate and EIT RawMaterials, including the vision of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme.

To further develop and strengthen innovation capacity, HEI4S3-RM defines four long-term strategic priorities:

• provide expertise and resources to turn ideas into value to foster smart and sustainable specialisation in EU regions;
• empower and support HEI4S3-RM innovators to bridge the gaps within the knowledge triangle and HEIs;
• enhance entrepreneurial education to enable learner-driven innovation;
• link smart specialisation and open innovation to connect regional and local ecosystems with pan-European networks.

Project coordinator

 Ana Suárez Vázquez, Director of Employability and Entrepreneurship, University of Oviedo (contact)

Project website

hei4s3-rm.eu